Donne sotto I riflettori: un'analisi della ricerca sui discorsi d'odio contro le donne in ruoli pubblici

This thesis explores hate speech specifically directed at women in public roles, focusing on politicians, celebrities and influencers across various online platforms such as Twitter (now X), Instagram and online forums. Diving into the different forms, influences and impacts of this gendered online abuse, the evidence retrieved is synthesized through a systematic literature review of twenty-one peer reviewed articles. The results show how misogyny operates through multiple dimensions such as sexual objectification, ideological hostility, delegitimization of competence, dehumanization and intersectional racism; all of these being consistently amplified by platform algorithms, media framing and the political climate. The outcomes suggest that women who are highly visible face a disproportionate amount of harassment and semiotic violence, and various studies demonstrate how increased online exposure and activity are directly correlated to heightened levels of misogynistic attacks. This type of harassment has detrimental effects for women and their democratic participation, which pushes them into withdrawing from public engagement, self-censorship and even reconsidering their careers. This thesis concludes by arguing that gendered digital violence is not incidental nor random, it is structural and it is deeply embedded in systems which have been historically shaped by patriarchal and racial norms. Additionally, it highlights the gaps in current findings, including the surprisingly limited research on the perpetrators of hate speech and the platforms’ algorithms, while also calling for stronger regulations and holding the respective platforms accountable. Together these results emphasize that tackling online misogyny is essential for individual safety and for ensuring equal participation in all public spaces.